Doctor Taradeeva shared tips on how not to gain excess weight in winter

During winter, many people experience an increased appetite, which can lead to weight gain. Therapist Tatyana Taradeeva from the INVITRO-Volga region center spoke about how the cold season affects metabolism and how you can avoid overeating and maintain normal weight.

In winter, our body changes its functioning to maintain optimal temperature. This requires more energy, so we often want to eat more hot, nutritious food. In addition, during the cold season we usually have less physical activity, and we also lack the joy hormone, which affects appetite and mood. Therefore, a slight weight gain in winter is a natural process, Izvestia writes.

If you have gained more than 10% of your normal weight over the winter, this may already be a sign of health problems. In this case, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner and undergo the necessary examinations.

Metabolism, or metabolism, slows down in winter, but this may vary from person to person. It depends on genetics, lifestyle and other factors. However, each of us can speed up metabolic processes simply by following certain rules. You should not reduce your calorie intake or resort to extreme diets, as this can only slow down your metabolism. Instead, you need to pay attention to your daily routine and nutrition.

Those who gain weight in winter usually prefer fast carbohydrates and fats. To keep the body warm and provide it with everything it needs, you need to increase the calorie content of your diet, but with the right foods. Sweets, fast food and snacks will not give us anything other than temporary satiation. Therefore, it is better to abandon them.

In winter, we can very easily stay in shape or even lose weight, since the body spends more calories to maintain heat. It is important to dress appropriately for the weather so as not to feel the cold and avoid overeating. Daily physical activity is also very important in winter: walking outdoors, playing sports or winter activities such as skating or skiing. After training, we don’t need to overeat, we just need to fill the calorie deficit. It is also necessary to maintain the correct drinking regime.

The doctor also gave several recommendations on the regime during the winter. It is important to distribute work and rest time, as well as get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day. You should eat small portions 3-5 times a day to provide the body with energy and warmth. Instead of sweet hot drinks, you can prefer tea with lemon, mint or ginger. More protein should be in the diet: fatty fish, tuna, legumes, white meat turkey, chicken and soups. You should also prefer natural fabrics when choosing clothes.